Fuji GX-680 Questions/Experience(s) what lenses really shine?

harlequin · Jan 30, 2017

My studio mate, just got a Fuji GX-680 camera with 120 back/135mm lens and waist level finder.
Apart from the standard lens, what focal lengths stand out for quality in:

a) Architecture
b) Portraiture

The reason this is perplexing, is because Fuji made so many focal length lenses so close together
125/135/150/180/210 are there ones to look for and are there any to avoid. I can't see a photographer having one of each, ($$$) so anyone with experience with this kit, please DO chime in....

Many Thanks!!

Harlequin

quixotic · Jan 30, 2017

The main thing is to get the right bellows. If I recall, it's the one with only two leather pleats. That will let you use the reasonably wide lens, while still allowing an upward shift (sorry, can't remember which lens I used).

Fixcinater · Jan 30, 2017

The 80/5.6 allows for shift with the regular bellows. Maybe the other more flexible bellows would be easier to work with (more flexible) but I don't see any problems using any of the adjustments with it. Same goes for the 135/5.6 which is the only other lens I have for the system. I need to get a better battery solution figured out (did a quick hack to make sure the whole thing works, which the 135mm doesn't...) before I shoot it more seriously.

quixotic · Jan 30, 2017

Fixcinater said:
The 80/5.6 allows for shift with the regular bellows. Maybe the other more flexible bellows would be easier to work with (more flexible) but I don't see any problems using any of the adjustments with it.

Maybe it was the 65mm lens that I had, then. I just remember that my wide angle lens when focused at infinity tended to put an extreme amount of pressure on the standards and/or bellows before I got a 2-pleat unit for it.

Edit: I guess it was the 65mm that I was thinking about (see the 2nd last paragraph from Danny Burk's write-up)
https://luminous-landscape.com/fuji-680/

Slixtiesix · Jan 31, 2017

Never used the system myself but from what I have seen, the 180/3,2 seems a great lens with a very beautiful bokeh.

Simon Benton · Jan 31, 2017

The 180/3.2 is a great portrait lens on the GX680. I also use the 190mm SF but it takes getting used to. The 80mm is my favorite most used lens as well as the 250mm. I have used all the lenses made for the GX680 except the zoom and they are all very sharp.

yessammassey · Jan 31, 2017

There's a guy with a website that includes a bunch of write-ups about Fuji medium format film cameras (Dante Stella?), and according to him, there were several lenses for the G690 interchangeable-lens 6x9 RF which were 'remade' into lenses for the GX680... the 50, 150, and 180, at least (I think)

I don't get how that works, considering the film plane seems like it must be much farther recessed from the rear lens element on the SLR GX680 than the RF G690. But that's what he says.

If that is the case, the 50mm lens for the GX680 should have the same performance as the RF version. That would really be something, as the RF 50 was (according to Mr. Stella) a jewel of a lens, rivaling the SWC's Biogon for distortion correction and flat-fieldedness. I've never used one myself, but I do have a G690, and the 50 is on my list to buy for it.

But maybe a 21mm equivalent isn't that useful for a studio camera like the GX680. I think the GX680 III was the only remotely portable version of that system.

quixotic · Feb 1, 2017

yessammassey said:
I think the GX680 III was the only remotely portable version of that system.

Was it Ansel Adams who said that if it's more than 100 yards from the car, then it's not photogenic? (that was the rule I followed when I had the 680).

yessammassey · Feb 1, 2017

Heck, I'm always glad to hear from people who even countenance the idea that big boys like the 680 can be used in the field at all. I have an RB67, and a lot of folks have it ingrained in their heads that it's a 'studio camera' unsuitable for use in the field. Granted, it's not as easy to tote around as a Pentax 67, but I find it easy enough to manage with the left hand grip. I even took it on a walk a couple of miles from my car - uphill both ways in the snow - the other day, and found it easy to manage getting around with and shooting handheld. It's got a nicely dampened mirror (unlike the Pentax 6x7, at least) and handles well enough.

My legs were sore for the next few days though. Exercise!

itsdoable · Feb 2, 2017

The main difference between the I/II and III was the use of lithium ion batteries instead of nickel cadmium/alkaline (although the III could use either). And other minor improvements. I have the III, and it's my field camera with movement.

I have not shot enough to say if a particular lens was better, on film, they are all pretty excellent. As expected, the faster ones (3.2 or 4) are easier to check focus with movement.

yurihuta · Mar 15, 2017

harlequin said:
My studio mate, just got a Fuji GX-680 camera with 120 back/135mm lens and waist level finder.
Apart from the standard lens, what focal lengths stand out for quality in:

a) Architecture
b) Portraiture

The reason this is perplexing, is because Fuji made so many focal length lenses so close together
125/135/150/180/210 are there ones to look for and are there any to avoid. I can't see a photographer having one of each, ($$$) so anyone with experience with this kit, please DO chime in....

Many Thanks!!

Harlequin

Lenses for the GX680 system are plentiful...

They have a 100mm f/4 (supposed to be exceptional)
There is also a 115mm f/3.2 (I love my copy)
There are two 125mm - one an f/5.6 and the other an f/3.2
There are two 180mm - one an f/5.6 and the other an f/3.2

You can also get an large format lens board adapter which are hard to find but I tracked one down (just need to find time to try it out).

A friend of mine runs a rental studio in Toronto and has extensive experience with the GX680 system (both film and digital) in case you are looking for more gear to purchase http://www.boasolutions.com/photo_v...era_lenses_lights_lighting_grip_video_toronto
He really likes the 65mm f/5.6 for a wide lens (I really like my copy). One thing to be aware of with the super wide 50mm f/5.6 has limitations on rise and fall (9mm in vertical format and 12mm in horizontal format).

epixx · Mar 25, 2017

I've recently started using my GX680 system again after a couple of years' break. My favourite lenses are the 65mm, the 100mm and the 180mm f/3.2, but they are all good, and my experience is probably as much based on practicality as image quality. They're all good

As for portability, I've been backpacking on a motorbike and with a GX680 IIIs on Cambodian back roads. I only brought two lenses at the time, but I'm considering a new travel setup with the "s" camera, 65mm, 125mm f/3.2 and the 250mm.

Joseph Lucas · Aug 8, 2021

Simon Benton said:
The 180/3.2 is a great portrait lens on the GX680. I also use the 190mm SF but it takes getting used to. The 80mm is my favorite most used lens as well as the 250mm. I have used all the lenses made for the GX680 except the zoom and they are all very sharp.

How is the photo looks like with the 190mm SF lens?
Is the Soft-Focus 190mm lens suitable for architecture or landscape photography?

Nokton48 · Aug 8, 2021

I have modified a lot of the GX680 lenses to fit my mechanical focal plane Plaubel Makiflexes. The story is long but is here.

Plaubel Makiflex Standard. | Photrio.com Photography Forums

2016-09-03 11.01.07 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here's the GX680 125mm f5.6 hacked to a Plaubel Peco Jr recessed board. Focuses to inifnity no prob and a very sharp lens not expensive

Fuji GX-680 Questions/Experience(s) what lenses really shine?

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